How do I Ace the MCAT?
Asked by: Layne Simonis | Last update: July 3, 2022Score: 4.9/5 (64 votes)
- Find Your Baseline. ...
- Don't Sacrifice Practice for Content Review. ...
- Focus on Accuracy. ...
- Build Stamina. ...
- Take as Many Full-length Practice Tests as Possible. ...
- Simulate REAL MCAT Conditions. ...
- Practice Dealing With Distractions. ...
- Manage Your Stress.
Is it hard to pass the MCAT?
The MCAT is a hard test, but it's manageable if you approach it diligently and efficiently. In other words, you'll need to work hard and smart. Let's look at what makes the exam more challenging than other tests you might have taken or heard of.
How easy is it to get a 500 on the MCAT?
A score of 500 is at the 53rd percentile, based on Google. Therefore, you must score better than 53% of the people taking the exam on the day you take it. While the exam itself is extremely difficult, 500 appears to be a common benchmark for many medical schools to set as their minimum standard to accept a student.
Is 520 a good MCAT score?
The total maximum score you can get on the MCAT is 528. So, a score of 520 is a very strong score! It puts you in the top 98th percentile of all MCAT test-takers. To put the score into perspective, the median MCAT score for matriculants in the 2019-2020 academic year was 511.5.
Should I retake a 512 MCAT?
If you were averaging 510-512s on your practice AAMC exam but scored much lower on test day, this is a good reason to retake the MCAT. The lower score is more likely due to nerves, pressure, lack of sleep, or sickness than lack of knowledge and ability.
How to Ace the MCAT
Should I retake a 514 MCAT?
If you've scored a 514 or above you should probably not retest. If your score is in the middle of these two extremes, your GPA may be the deciding factor. As the table shows, a score below 498 corresponds to an 18% chance of acceptance, even with a fantastic GPA of 3.79 or higher.
Is 479 a good MCAT score?
The answer depends on several factors including what type of medical school (MD vs DO vs Canadian) you're interested in, and most importantly, your individual section scores. Attaining a score of 479 on the MCAT means you performed in the 2% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred.
DO they curve the MCAT?
The MCAT exam is not graded on a curve. Instead, the MCAT exam is scaled and equated so that scores have the same meaning, no matter when you test or who tests at the same time you did.
Why is MCAT so hard?
The MCAT is especially challenging for several reasons, according to test prep experts. It is extremely lengthy and covers multiple subjects, addresses technical aspects of certain fields and occasionally requires test-takers to combine knowledge from disparate academic disciplines.
How do I study for smart MCAT?
- They Actually Tell You What is On the Test. ...
- Content Review is Important, But Practice is More Important. ...
- Be Flexible and Don't Be Afraid to Change If Something is Not Working Out. ...
- Take Practices Tests Often and Learn from Your Mistakes.
What should I eat on MCAT day?
Eat a normal, but healthy meal
Safe bets are granola, fruit, and yogurt. If you're a coffee drinker, get some coffee. If you're not, it's not the right morning to start. Do what you normally do, so nothing out of the ordinary can sidetrack your MCAT performance.
What is the hardest part of the MCAT?
The Most Difficult MCAT Test Section
Many students report that the most difficult section is CARS, and the average scores reported by AAMC back that up. The lowest average section scores overall and for matriculants are in CARS.
Is the MCAT harder than med school?
Medical school takes 4 years, while the MCAT is a one day test. Yes, medical school is harder than the MCAT. Many people describe the practice medicine as more of an art than a science.
Is MCAT all multiple choice?
The Medical College Admission Test, or MCAT, is more than just a formality for medical school admissions. It is a multiple-choice, computer-based, standardized exam that is required for admission to med schools in the United States and Canada.
Can you choose which MCAT score to send?
No. All scores from every time you've taken the MCAT are reported and sent to the colleges you designate. The only exception is that if you tested prior to April 2003, you can select which of those pre-April 2003 scores to send to colleges.
How many questions can I miss on the MCAT?
The truth about MCAT scoring is that missing six questions could equate to a score of 131 or it could be a 125, depending on the test difficulty.
Is 475 a good MCAT score?
Attaining a score of 475 on the MCAT means you performed in the 0% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred. For example: 118 (C/P) 119 (CARS) 119 (B/B) 119 (P/S).
How good is a 511 MCAT?
A good MCAT score is around 511 or higher, since that is the average MCAT score of successful matriculants. Keep in mind that many students get accepted to medical school with lower MCAT scores, too. But 511+ is considered competitive.
What percentile is a 509 on the MCAT?
Attaining a score of 509 on the MCAT means you performed in the 82% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred.
Is a 513 MCAT good?
To get an excellent MCAT score means to score in the overall 90th percentile, which currently means a score of 515 or greater. Anything above the score of 517 is considered as outstanding.
What percentile is 518 on MCAT?
Attaining a score of 518 on the MCAT means you performed in the 97% percentile.